X i in vi



(No Model.)

J. W. JEFFERS.

LETTER BOX.

m v A@ wf H, f. mi T W E u mr M @i U f E JM 5 M, A W W f4 m M M "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH vv. immens, on BALTIMorm, MARYLAND.

LETTER-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part ot' Letters Patent No. 284,857, dated September 11, 1883. Appncatinn sied october 9, 1ste. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osEPH W. J Errnns, of the city of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Street Letter-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct a street letter-box in such manner that wrapped newspapers, parcels, and other articles larger than ordinary letters may be placed therein without exposing an opening leading directly to the interior of the box of greater width than isusually allowed in boxes of this description, and it consists in locating in the upper part of the box, and immediately beneath the slot through which letters are inserted, a hollow revoluble cylinder having two slots of dierent sizes, one being adapted for letters and the other, which is of greater width, for newspapers, parcels, Src., as before stated.

In the further description of my said invention which follows, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in Which- Figure I is the vertical cross-section of the improved box.A Fig. II is the longitudinal section of the same. Fig. III is an exterior end view of a part of the box.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the views.

A is the box proper, having the usual door, a,

to be opened for the removal of letters, and a slot, b, in the upper part, provided with a hinged cap, as is usual. The slot b differs from those ordinarily found in street letter-boxes, in that it is of sufficient width to allow of the passage through it of newspapers, parcels, &c.

B is the hollow cylinder, having the slots c and d, the former of such width as to admit letters only, and the latter corresponding practically in width with the slot b. The cylinder B is susceptible of partial rotation-'that is to say, it may be revolved so as to bring either of the slots directly under the slot b. The means which I preferably employ to move the cylinder B consists of a handle, e, which projects from one end of the cylinder through a semicircular'slot in the box. A circular plate, g, fastened to the handle e, is used to conceal the semicircular slot f and prevent water entering the box. -When the cylinder is in the position shown in the drawings, letters may be inserted in the box without any movement of the cylinder 5 but a newspaper or parcel enters the cylinder only, and is discharged into the box by inverting the cylinder through the medium of the handle e. The handle e may be weighted, so as to maintain the cylinder B in an inverted position, in which case it would be necessary to turn the cylinder to receive a newspaper or parcel, and the discharge of the same -to the box would be eifected automatically.

Iam aware that letter-boxes have heretofore been constructed containing a revoluble cylinder having an overbalance to hold it in an inverted position, the box and cylinder having each a lateral aperture for the reception of letters, and which apertures are only in line Vto give free passage to the interior of the box when the cylinder is turned from its normal position. I do not therefore claim, broadly, a letter-box with a revoluble cylinder therein; but

What I do claim as my invention is In combination with the box A, with the slot b in its upper end, the cylinder B, having the slots c and d, situated at Vpractically opposite sides thereof and of different widths, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

Y J. W. J EFFERS. Witnesses:

W.r S. VILxnvsoN, ED J. Drees. 

